Hair dryer vacuum attachment

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to a hair dryer vacuum attachment and methods for using the same. In one embodiment, the hair dryer vacuum attachment includes a first opening to attach to an end of a hair dryer, a second opening to allow air that is blown by the hair dryer to exit and a third opening to collect a debris via a vacuum created by the air blown by the hair dryer exiting the second opening.

BACKGROUND

The human hair can fall out and leave a mess on floors. Often when brushing or drying hair, human hair will fall out. Typically, when a user is done styling or working with hair the hair can be cleaned up via a brush, a broom or a traditional upright vacuum. This can be an inconvenient process as another tool must be used to clean up the hair.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a hair dryer vacuum attachment. In one embodiment, the hair dryer vacuum attachment comprises a first opening to attach to an end of a hair dryer, a second opening to allow air that is blown by the hair dryer to exit and a third opening to collect a debris via a vacuum created by the air blown by the hair dryer exiting the second opening.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for using the hair dryer vacuum attachment. The method comprises receiving, by a first opening of a hair dryer vacuum attachment, air that is blown by a hair dryer, directing, via the hair dryer vacuum attachment, the air to exit out of a second opening of the hair dryer to generate a vacuum and vacuuming, via a third opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment, a debris.

In another embodiment, the hair dryer vacuum attachment comprises a housing, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical shape and is substantially hollow, a first opening formed along an outer perimeter of the cylindrical shape of the housing, wherein the first opening connects to a hair dryer, a second opening formed on a first end of the cylindrical shape of the housing, wherein the second opening allows air that is blown by the hair dryer to exit and a third opening formed on a second end of the cylindrical shape of the housing opposite the first end, wherein the third opening collects a human hair via a suction created by the air blown by the hair dryer exiting the second opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts a view of an example hair dryer vacuum attachment relative to a hair dryer;

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional side view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 4 depicts an engineering diagram of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional front view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 7 depicts an engineering diagram of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment;

FIG. 9 depicts an example air flow diagram;

FIG. 10 depicts a diagram of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment attached to the hair dryer; and

FIG. 11 depicts a flow chart of an example method for using the hair dryer vacuum attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, the human hair can fall out and leave a mess on floors. Often when brushing or drying hair, human hair will fall out. Typically, when a user is done styling or working with hair the hair can be cleaned up via a brush, a broom or a traditional upright vacuum. This can be an inconvenient process as another tool must be used to clean up the hair.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hair dryer vacuum attachment that allows debris (e.g., human hair) to be collected and disposed of. One advantage of being an attachment is that the hair dryer vacuum attachment can transform any hair dryer into a vacuum. As a result, a customer may not be required to by a new hair dryer, but may retrofit the hair dryer vacuum onto his or her existing hair dryer.

In addition, the hair dryer vacuum attachment may help individuals or stylists to work more efficiently. For example, a stylist or a user may be using the hair dryer on a customer while brushing, combing and/or drying the customer's hair. During this process, hair or other debris, may fall onto the floor. When finished, the stylist or user may simply attach the hair dryer vacuum attachment to vacuum up and dispose of hair on the floor without having to grab another tool.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of how a hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may attach to a hair dryer 102. FIG. 1 provides a perspective of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 as the hair dryer vacuum.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. In one embodiment, the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may include a housing 110 having a “T” shape. The hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 in FIG. 2 is illustrated as a sideways “T”. For example, the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may have a first opening 104, a second opening 106 and a third opening 108. The first opening 104 may be located at the bottom of the “T”, while the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 are located on opposite ends of the top of the “T”.

In one embodiment, the first opening 104 connects to an end of the hair dryer 102 that blows out air as illustrated in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the first opening 104 may have dimensions and a shape that corresponds to the end of the hair dryer 102 that the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 is connected to. For example, the first opening 104 may have a generally circular or oval shape.

In one embodiment, the first opening 104 may have mechanical features 130 to allow the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 to be securely attached to the hair dryer 102. For example, the mechanical features 130 may be a threaded opening to screw onto the hair dryer 102, a set of grooves to mate with corresponding grooves on the hair dryer 102, a friction fit, an interference fit, a slide and lock mechanism, and the like.

In one embodiment, the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 may also have a substantially circular or oval shape. In one embodiment, the second opening 106 may be slightly larger than the third opening 108 to encourage air to leave through the second opening 106. As will be discussed in further detail below, the air blowing out of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 through the second opening 106 will create a vacuum in the third opening 108.

As discussed above, the housing 110 may have a “T” shape. As a result, the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 may be located opposite one another on opposite ends of the housing 110. The first opening 104 may be located along a side of the housing 110 between the second opening 106 and the third opening 108.

In one embodiment, the first opening 104, the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 may be integrally formed as part of the housing 110. In other words, the housing 110 having the first opening 104, the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 may be formed from a single unitary piece of material.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 may be fabricated from a plastic, a non-conductive material, or any other similar polymer and have a generally cylindrical shape. The housing 110 may also be substantially hollow to allow air to flow through the housing 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. FIG. 3 illustrates the substantially hollow interior of the housing 110.

In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates an inner opening 112 within the first opening 104. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the inner opening 112 may be a function of a desired air velocity needed to create a desired amount of vacuum or suction. For example, the air velocity may be based on Bernoulli's principal. The dimensions of the inner opening 112 may be small enough to increase the pressure of the air blown by the hair dryer 102 such that the air exits the inner opening 112 into the housing 110 at a much higher velocity. In other words, the inner opening 112 may help to create a Venturi effect through the housing 110.

The high air velocity may exit the housing 110 via the second opening 106, thereby, creating a lower pressure in the third opening 106. In one embodiment, an inner wall 116 of the housing 110 may be angled to deflect, or redirect air, towards the second opening 106. As a result, a vacuum or suction is created in the third opening 106. The greater the air velocity traveling through the housing 110 and exiting the second opening 106, the greater the vacuum or suction that is created in the third opening 106.

In one embodiment, the inner opening 112 may be dimensioned or sized to move the air at a velocity that is fast enough to create a vacuum that can pick up human hair. However, it should be noted that the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may be designed to collect or vacuum up any type of debris.

In one embodiment, the dimensions (e.g., the interior diameter) of the housing 110, the second opening 106 and the third opening 108 may be any size to maintain the high air velocity. For example, if the dimensions of the housing 110 and the second opening 106 were too large, the air velocity and pressure would drop. As a result, no vacuum would be created through the third opening 108.

In one embodiment, third opening 108 may be smaller than the inner opening 112. In addition, the inner opening 112 may be within +/−10% of the size of the opening of the outlet of the hair dryer 102. In one embodiment, a height 120 of where the second opening 106 begins may be higher than or equal to a height 118 of a top portion of the inner opening 112. In addition, the height 120 of where the second opening 106 begins cannot be higher than a height 122 of a top portion of the second opening 106. Thus, in one embodiment, the sizes and dimensions of the first opening 104, the second opening 106, the third opening 108, the inner opening 112 and the interior volume of the housing 110 may be any size or dimension within the relative constraints described above.

In one embodiment, the third opening 108 may include a screen 114 (also referred to as a net, or a trap). The screen 114 may prevent debris that is collected from entering the hollow interior of the housing 110. When the hair dryer attachment 100 is operated, the debris may be trapped against the screen 114 until the third opening 108 is positioned over a trash can and the hair dryer 102 is turned off. When the hair dryer 102 is turned off, the debris may be released from the screen 114 and into the trash can.

FIG. 4 illustrates an engineering diagram of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. The engineering diagram illustrates example configurations, shapes and positioning of the internal components of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. For example, the front view may be a view looking into the first opening 104. The inner opening 112 may be seen in FIG. 5 as a rectangular shape. However, it should be noted that the inner opening 112 may have any shape or size, as noted above.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional front view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. The cross-sectional view illustrates the second opening 106 and the third opening 108. The screen 114 may also be seen in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates an engineering diagram of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. The engineering diagram illustrates example configurations, shapes and positioning of the internal components of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. FIG. 8 may be seen from a perspective of the third opening 108. FIG. 8 illustrates a more detailed view of the screen 114 that is used to trap debris and prevent the debris from entering the housing 110.

In one embodiment, the screen 114 may comprise of a plurality of openings 116. In one embodiment, the openings 116 allow air to be sucked up into the housing 110 via the vacuum created by the air flow that exits the second opening 106, as described above.

In one embodiment, the dimensions (e.g., the diameter) of the openings 116 may be smaller than the dimensions of the debris. For example, when the debris is human hair, the diameter of the openings 116 may be in millimeters or fractions of millimeters. However, if the debris is dust, the diameter of the openings 116 may be in microns.

As noted above, the screen 114 may be used to prevent the debris from entering the housing 110. Debris that enters the housing 110 may enter the hair dryer 102 via the first opening 104, thereby, causing the hair dryer 102 to malfunction. In addition, debris that enters the housing 110 may interfere with the air flow or cause a drop in the air flow velocity, thereby, causing a reduction in the vacuum or suction.

In addition, the screen 114 may hold or trap the debris until the debris is disposed of properly. For example, without the screen 114, the debris may be sucked into the housing 110 and thrown out again through the second opening 106.

FIG. 9, illustrates an example air flow diagram 900 of the present disclosure. For example, the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may be attached to the hair dryer 102. When the hair dryer 102 is turned on, the hair dryer 102 may blow air towards the first opening 104, as illustrated by arrow 902.

As the air is blown through the inner opening 112, the air velocity of the air may be increased. The air is blown out through the second opening 106, as illustrated by arrows 904. The air flow through the hollow interior of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 at a high velocity creates a vacuum in the third opening 108, as illustrated by arrows 906. Any debris (e.g., human hair) near the third opening 108 may be drawn into the third opening 108 and trapped against the screen 114, as described above.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 attached to the hair dryer 102. In one embodiment, the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 may be attached such that the third opening 108 is rotated 90 degrees relative to a handle 150 of the hair dryer 102. For example, the mechanical features 130 (illustrated in FIG. 1) may be molded, attached, or formed such that the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 is attached to the hair dryer 102 in a particular orientation. In other words, the mechanical features 130 may be keyed such that the third opening 108 is rotated at approximately 90 degrees relative to the handle 150 when the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100 is attached to the hair dryer 102.

It should be noted that 90 degrees is an approximate rotation. For example, the third opening 108 may be at approximately 90 degrees+/−45 degrees. In other words, the third opening 108 may be rotated such that the handle 150 is not in the way when trying to vacuum debris on the ground via the third opening 108.

For example, if the third opening 108 is parallel, or pointing “downward” towards the ground, or towards a location of the debris, in a same direction as the handle 150, a user would find it difficult to have the third opening 108 parallel to the ground. However, by rotating the third opening 108 at approximately 90 degrees relative to the handle 150, a user may hold the handle 150 sideways (e.g., the handle 150 parallel to the ground). This may be ergonomically comfortable for the user to aim the third opening 108 towards the ground or to be parallel to the ground.

FIG. 11 illustrates a flowchart of a method 1100 for using the hair dryer vacuum attachment 100. The method 1100 begins in step 1102. At step 1104, the method 1100 receives, by a first opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment, air that is blown by a hair dryer. For example, the hair dryer vacuum attachment may be attached to the hair dryer via the first opening. The hair dryer may be turned on and air may be forced through the first opening.

At step 1106, the method 1100 directs, via the hair dryer vacuum attachment, the air to exit out of a second opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment. In one embodiment, the air may be received at a velocity that is sufficient to generate the vacuum. If the air is not received at a velocity that is sufficient to generate the vacuum, the air velocity may be increased via an inner opening that is smaller than the first opening. For example, according to Bernoulli's principle, a Venturi effect can be created by forcing the air blown by the hair dryer through the inner opening.

In one embodiment, an inner wall of a housing of the hair dryer vacuum attachment may be angled towards the second opening. This may help to direct air to exit towards the second opening. In another embodiment, the dimensions (e.g., the diameter) of the second opening may be larger than the dimensions of a third opening to encourage the air to escape via the second opening. For example, a larger opening may have less resistance and the air will exit via a path of least resistance.

At step 1108, the method 1100 may vacuum, via a third opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment, a debris. For example, the air flow exiting the second opening may create a vacuum, or a suction, in the third opening. When the third opening is located near the ground or debris, the hair dryer vacuum attachment may collect debris (e.g., human hair) via the third opening.

In one embodiment, the debris may be prevented from entering the hair dryer vacuum attachment via a screen. For example, the debris may be trapped against a screen located inside of the third opening. The debris may be released from the third opening of the hair dryer attachment when air ceases to be blown by the hair dryer. For example, a user may move the third opening of the hair dryer attachment over a trash can and turn off the hair dryer. When the hair dryer is turned off, the air ceases to be blown and the vacuum is eliminated causing the debris to be released. At step 708, the method 700 ends.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair dryer vacuum attachment, comprising: a first opening to attach to an end of a hair dryer; a second opening to allow air that is blown by the hair dryer to exit; and a third opening to collect a debris via a vacuum created by the air blown by the hair dryer exiting the second opening.
 2. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, wherein the first opening, the second opening and the third opening are arranged in a “T”.
 3. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 3, wherein the second opening and the third opening are located on opposite ends of the “T”.
 4. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, further comprising: a screen coupled to the third opening to prevent the debris from entering the hair dryer vacuum attachment.
 5. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, wherein dimensions of openings of the screen is smaller than dimensions of the debris.
 6. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, wherein the debris comprises human hair.
 7. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises an inner opening that is smaller than the first opening to increase a velocity of the air that is blown to create the vacuum.
 8. The hair dryer vacuum attachment of claim 1, wherein an inner wall is angled to direct the air that is blown out of the second opening.
 9. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first opening of a hair dryer vacuum attachment, air that is blown by a hair dryer; directing, via the hair dryer vacuum attachment, the air to exit out of a second opening of the hair dryer to generate a vacuum; and vacuuming, via a third opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment, a debris.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: releasing, by the third opening of the hair dryer vacuum attachment, the debris when the air ceases to be blown by the hair dryer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the directing and the vacuuming occur on opposite ends of the hair dryer vacuum attachment.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein dimensions of an inner opening of the first opening is smaller than dimensions of the first opening to increase a velocity of the air that is blown to create the vacuum.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the directing is performed by an inner wall that is angled towards the second opening.
 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: preventing, via a screen attached to the third opening, the debris from entering the hair dryer vacuum attachment.
 15. A hair dryer vacuum attachment, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical shape and is substantially hollow; a first opening formed along an outer perimeter of the cylindrical shape of the housing, wherein the first opening connects to a hair dryer; a second opening formed on a first end of the cylindrical shape of the housing, wherein the second opening allows air that is blown by the hair dryer to exit; and a third opening formed on a second end of the cylindrical shape of the housing opposite the first end, wherein the third opening collects a human hair via a suction created by the air blown by the hair dryer exiting the second opening.
 16. The hair dryer attachment of claim 15, wherein the first opening, the second opening and the third opening are integrally formed as part of the housing.
 17. The hair dryer attachment of claim 15, wherein the hair dryer attachment comprises a plastic.
 18. The hair dryer attachment of claim 15, wherein the first opening, the second opening and the third opening each have a circular shape.
 19. The hair dryer attachment of claim 15, wherein a net is coupled to the third opening to prevent the human hair from entering the housing.
 20. The hair dryer attachment of claim 15, wherein the first opening comprises a mechanical feature that is keyed to attach the hair dryer attachment to a hair dryer at approximately 90 degrees+/−45 degrees relative to a handle of the hair dryer. 